Shearing assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally is a shearing assembly for a fluid material comprising a product inlet flow component, a shearing component, and a housing, said housing arranged to be in fluid communication with the product inlet flow component. The shearing component is enclosed in the housing such that the fluid is sheared when it flows via the shearing component while the flow of fluid is sealed when the shearing component is under the action of a force. Also disclosed is a device comprising said shearing assembly.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an assemblythat shears a viscous fluid while delivery as well as effectively sealsthe flow when the product is not under usage.

2. Description of the Related Art

Certain viscous products are difficult to be delivered and applied on asurface evenly as they tend to clump the product while being delivered.Consumer products such as lip gloss, lip balm, lip putty, nail enameletc are examples of fluids which require to be sheared beforeapplication. General method of delivery of such viscous products isthrough pump or plunger systems or through container/rod systems.However, these are either complex or costly mechanisms. Moreover, as theapplicator is at the other end of the stem of the cap in these systemsthere is an inconvenience during application, unlike the bullet typelipstick which the consumer can hold very close to the point ofapplication thereby easily maintaining very precise control. There havealso been attempts at providing squeeze tubes that have applicatorsattached on the neck of the container. However, these are unable tofulfill the need of shearing of the product before it is delivered.

There have also been attempts at modifying applicators such that theyshear the product for an even application on surface/skin/lips. Forexample, applicators have been made of thin metal wire mesh that applyliquid and simultaneously shear it as well. U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,347 toGueret discloses an applicator that has good properties for thespreading of the product. Also, the application surface of theapplicator nozzle is provided with cavities or grooves for the spreadingto obtain a faster and more homogeneous make-up than with an applicatorbrush. However, the product is sheared after delivery onto theapplicator, while it is desirable that the applicator be supplied with asheared liquid.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,686 to Neuener et al., discloses a dispenser andapplicator for liquid cosmetic material including a rigid, axiallyelongated reservoir tube for holding the cosmetic material, a manuallyoperable driver assembly for exerting pressure on the material withinthe tube, and an applicator tip having a planar woven mesh screenextending across an outlet end opening and molded in the applicator tip.The driver assembly forces the contained material forwardly through thescreen, which the user applies to the lip or eye region of the face, orother selected skin area.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,053 to Wiley relates to a package where fluidmaterial is stored in a reservoir. Rotating a collar with respect to thereservoir advances a piston therein to deliver lip coloring or othermaterial through a valve to a roller mounted on a dispensing head. Thepatent discloses use of a roller head for proper delivery of thick andpasty fluid.

There have also been provided mixers inside the reservoir such that theydeliver the product as a sheared liquid. However, these are generallyused where more than one product is to be dispensed.

Therefore, there still remains a need for an assembly that is simple,cost-effective, easy to manufacture yet providing good shearing actionthereby dispensing a viscous fluid. Also, there exists an opportunityarea where the applicators used are conventional which most users areaccustomed to using and yet deliver a liquid that has been sheared whilethe user applies it.

SUMMARY

The present invention generally is an assembly that helps in shearingthe fluid before it is delivered for application.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is also provided anassembly that shears a viscous fluid while delivery.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is also providedan assembly that effectively seals the flow when the fluid is notrequired to be used.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the shearing assemblycomprises of a product inlet flow component and a shearing component.The shearing component is placed in a housing or any other suitablemeans which is in fluid communication with the product inlet flowcomponent in a delivery device. The shearing component is placed insidethe housing in such a manner that a force when applied or removed fromthe housing it causes the shearing component to be displaced axiallythereby allowing the fluid either to flow via the shearing componentonto the application surface or to stop the fluid from flowing therebysealing the system.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the shearingassembly may optionally comprise a biasing member that biases theshearing component to move in an axial direction with respect to theproduct inlet flow component when a force is applied or removed from it.The shearing component and the biasing member may be housed in thehousing which is in fluid communication with the product inlet flowcomponent. The biasing member includes a resilient flexible member andit may comprise a coil spring or like biasing element.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the shearingassembly may also contain a means for applying force on the shearingcomponent. The said means could be in the form of a cap for thecontainer housing the fluid or could be the housing itself in the formof an on-off collar or dial or any other suitable means. Moreover, theforce may be applied on the shearing component manually, pneumatically,hydraulically or through various other types of mechanisms.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the product inletflow component could be a part of the neck of a container itself or itcould be a separate component attached to the neck of the container thathouses the fluid. The product inlet flow component could be made of asuitable polymeric material such as polypropylene.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention the shearingcomponent has an inlet end and an outlet end and there are present aplurality of flow tracks in it such that the core of the shearingcomponent is solid and is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end.Therefore when the product enters the shearing component, it is causedto flow through a plurality of tracks thereby shearing it and is thendelivered onto the application surface.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the shearing componentcould also be in the form of a mixer that has suitable ridges or trackson it which cause the material to get sheared while traveling via it.The shearing component could be made of polypropylene or silicon or anyother suitable polymeric material.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention the shearingcomponent may also act as a sealing means that closes the orifice of theproduct inlet flow component. As the core of the shearing component issolid and is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end, when thisextended core is caused to physically travel and sit on the productinlet flow component, it seals the orifice for that duration. Thisprovides for a better seal as compared to just surface interference inother sealing methods.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the product inlet flowcomponent of the shearing assembly fits onto the neck of a container orit could be built in the neck of the container, the biasing member fitsonto the shearing component with the inlet end of the shearing componentfacing towards the product inlet flow component and is housed inside thehousing component.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention the housingcomponent may also house the applicator at its top end to which theproduct is supplied via the shearing component.

Independently or in combination with the above, exemplary embodiments ofthe invention provide a device for packaging and dispensing a substance,for example, a cosmetic, comprising the shearing assembly as definedabove. The device comprises a reservoir, a means for closing thereservoir such as a cap, and an applicator. The device further comprisesa housing such as a collar or a dial, and a product inlet flowcomponent. The housing houses the shearing component and optionally abiasing member. The housing may also house the applicator at its top endto which the product is supplied through the shearing component. Duringoperation, either the means for closing the reservoir or the housing mayact as a means for application of force onto the shearing component. Themeans for closing the reservoir when in close communication with theneck of the reservoir causes the extended solid core of the shearingcomponent to seal the orifice of the product inlet flow component underthe action of a force applied manually or by the optional biasing memberwhich is under force. When the means for closing the reservoir isremoved, the shearing component moves axially upwards whichsimultaneously results in opening of the orifice due to which when thereservoir is actuated it results in the flow of the fluid via theshearing component. The reservoir may be actuated by applying forcemanually i.e. squeezing the reservoir which is in the form of a tube, orthrough a suitable displacement mechanism such as a piston, plunger,pump or the force may be applied pneumatically or hydraulically to causethe fluid to flow

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided anassembly which can be used in any delivery system for viscous fluidswhich enables it to deliver the product evenly and also seals theconstituents of the delivery system while it is closed.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the shearing assemblyhelps in the product being stored under good conditions, without risk ofleaking, protected from the ambient air without the risk ofcontamination or degradation of the product, in particular in the caseof a product that is susceptible to oxidation or to microbialcontamination. Various areas where the shearing assembly of the presentinvention could be used are but not limited to fluid materials formedication, dermatological fluids, liquid cosmetic material or formicroencapsulated liquid products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentinvention can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing assembly according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the shearing assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shearing component of the shearingassembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the shearing component of the shearingassembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the shearing component of the shearing assemblyas shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing assembly shown in FIG.2 showing the shearing action of the shearing assembly.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing assembly shown in FIG.2 showing the path of fluid via the shearing assembly.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device comprising the shearingassembly according to one embodiment of the present invention showingthe sealing action of the shearing assembly.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device comprising the shearingassembly according to one embodiment of the present invention showingthe path of fluid via the shearing assembly.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe Figures. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawingsillustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admitto other equally effective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is one embodiment of the present invention showing the shearingassembly.

As represented in FIGS. 1 to 2, the shearing assembly 100 comprises of ahousing 101, a shearing component 102, a biasing member 103 and aproduct inlet flow component 104. The biasing member 103 surrounds theshearing component 102 which is housed in the housing 101. The productinlet flow component 104 could be the neck of a container itself or itcould be a separate component attached to the neck of the container thathouses the fluid. The product inlet flow component 104 may be made ofpolypropylene or any suitable polymeric material. The housing 101 mayalso contain an applicator attached at its outlet end and the housing101 fitted onto the neck of a container so that it is in fluidcommunication with the product inlet flow component 104. The housing 101could be made of a suitable polymeric material such as polypropylene.The biasing member 103 is a resilient flexible member and could be acoil spring or such biasing element.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the shearing component 102 has an inletend 105 and an outlet end 106. Starting at its outlet end 106, theshearing component 102 has a flange and it extends axially from theflange in a cylindrical form, however, the form taken by the extensionof the flange is not limited to the same.

The shearing component 102 has a plurality of flow tracks 107 such thatthe central core is solid and has an extension/protrusion 108 whichkeeps the orifice of the inlet flow component 104 sealed when underforce of the biasing member 103. The shearing component 102 could alsobe in the form of a mixer that has ridges on it which cause the materialto get sheared while traveling through the ridges. The shearingcomponent 102 could be made of polypropylene or silicon or any suitablepolymeric material.

When assembled, the biasing member 103 surrounds the extension of theshearing component 102 which are housed inside the housing 101. Thehousing 101 is in turn fitted onto the neck of the product inlet flowcomponent 104.

During operation, the biasing member 103 biases the shearing component102 to move in an axial direction with respect to the product inlet flowcomponent 104 when a force is applied or removed from it. As representedin FIG. 1, it is seen that when the housing 101 is in close contact ofthe product inlet flow component 104, the extension/protrusion 108 ofthe solid core of shearing component 102 travels into the orifice of theproduct inlet flow component 104 under the action of a force, forexample, of the biasing member 103 in this case. The arrows indicate thedirection of the force applied by an external means optionally a caponto the inlet flow component 104. While as represented in FIGS. 6 and7, when the external force is removed, the housing 101 moves axiallywhich simultaneously results in displacement of the shearing component102 due to the relaxation of the biasing member 103. As is shown in FIG.7, the fluid is caused to travel via a plurality of flow tracks 107thereby shearing the fluid.

A device 200 for packaging and dispensing a substance comprising thesaid shearing assembly is illustrated by FIGS. 8 and 9. The device 200contains a reservoir 207, a means for closing the reservoir such as acap 205 and an applicator 206. The device further comprises a housing201 to house a shearing component 202 and a biasing member 203. Aproduct inlet flow component 204 is fitted into the neck 208 of thereservoir 207. The housing 201 may also house the applicator 206 towhich the product is supplied through the shearing component 202. Theshearing assembly may be mounted on or in an outlet opening of thedevice so that there is no possibility of fluid leaking around theassembly or contamination entering into the connection between theassembly and the reservoir. As shown in FIG. 8, the cap 205 is screwedonto the neck 208 of the reservoir 207 by way of complimentary threads209 and 210 on the neck 208 of the reservoir 207 and the cap 205respectively. During operation, means for closing the reservoir such asthe cap 205 when in close communication with the neck 208 of thereservoir 207 causes the biasing member 203 such as a spring to be incompressed state which in turn causes the extension/protrusion 211 ofthe core of the shearing component 202 to travel inside and thereby sealthe orifice of the product inlet flow component 204 under the action ofthe force of the cap 205. While as represented in FIG. 9, when theexternal force or the cap 205 is removed, the housing 201 moves axiallywhich simultaneously results in displacement of the extension/protrusion211 of the core of the shearing component 202 as the biasing member 203is under relaxation.

The shearing assembly of the present invention could be put to use forsuch consumer products where the products are viscous and require to besheared before being delivered and applied. The assembly alsosimultaneously provides sealing of the product thereby keeping theproduct under good conditions, without risk of leaking, protected fromthe ambient air without the risk of contamination or degradation of theproduct, in particular when the product is susceptible to oxidation orto microbial contamination.

Although the above description and drawings show the housing, theshearing component and the product inlet flow component beingcylindrical, the shapes and profile cross section thereof are notlimited to the same.

Various examples of the products where the shearing assembly of thepresent invention could be put to use are liquid, semi liquid or pastylip or eye cosmetic products especially lip gloss, lip balm, lip putty,lip plumping gel, cream eye shadow, under-eye cream, under-eye repaircream, foundation, concealer, blemish concealer, cheek plumping gel orcream, cream and moisturizer, nail enamel, temporary hair colors, hairstyling gel, glitter, hair mousse, hair repair cream, exfoliant andhydrating cream, correction cream, acne treatment cream, skin treatmentcream, hair repair cream, anti-dandruff cream, teeth whitening gel.

Thus, shearing assembly 100 provides for a simplified, inexpensive, andefficient device that achieves shearing as well as sealing of thedelivery systems storing viscous fluid.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow. Accordingly, the appended claimsshould be construed to encompass not only those forms and embodiments ofthe invention specifically described above, but to such other forms andembodiments as may be devised by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from its true spirit and scope.

1. A shearing assembly for a product comprising: a product inlet flowcomponent, said product inlet flow component having an opening thatallows the product to flow through it. a shearing component; and ahousing, said housing arranged to be in fluid communication with theproduct inlet flow component wherein said housing encloses the shearingcomponent and wherein the product is sheared when it flows via theshearing component.
 2. The shearing assembly according to claim 1wherein the shearing component has an inlet end and an outlet end andthere are present a plurality of flow tracks in the shearing componentso as to form a solid core of the shearing component which is extendedinto a protrusion at its outlet end.
 3. The shearing assembly accordingto claim 2 wherein the shearing component moves in an axial directionwith respect to the product inlet flow component when a force is appliedor removed from it.
 4. The shearing assembly according to claim 3wherein the product is sheared while it flows via the plurality of flowtracks in the shearing component.
 5. The shearing assembly according toclaim 4 wherein the shearing component seals the flow of the productwhen a force is applied or removed from it.
 6. The shearing assemblyaccording to claim 5 wherein the sealing of the flow of the productoccurs when the protrusion in the solid core at its outlet end is causedto travel into the opening of the product inlet flow component byapplication or removal of force thereby sealing the opening of theproduct inlet flow component.
 7. The shearing assembly according toclaim 6 optionally comprising an applicator in the housing to which theproduct is supplied via the shearing component.
 8. The shearing assemblyaccording to claim 7 optionally comprising a biasing member.
 9. Theshearing assembly according to claim 8 wherein the biasing member ishoused in the housing with the shearing component and it biases theshearing component to move in an axial direction with respect to theproduct inlet flow component when a force is applied or removed from it.10. The shearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said assemblyshears viscous products, said viscous products comprising at least oneof medication fluids, dermatological fluids, liquid cosmetic material,microencapsulated liquid products, lip gloss, lip balm, lip putty, lipplumping gel, cream eye shadow, under-eye cream, under-eye repair cream,foundation, concealer, blemish concealer, cheek plumping gel or cream,cream and moisturizer, nail enamel, temporary hair colors, hair stylinggel, glitter, hair mousse, hair repair cream, exfoliant and hydratingcream, correction cream, acne treatment cream, skin treatment cream,hair repair cream, anti-dandruff cream, teeth whitening gel.
 11. Adevice for packaging and dispensing a viscous product comprising: areservoir wherein said reservoir has a neck that defines an opening inthe form of an orifice; a means for closing the reservoir, said meanscomprising a cap; a shearing assembly arranged to be mounted onto theneck of the reservoir; wherein said shearing assembly comprises aproduct inlet flow component; a shearing component, and a housing, saidhousing arranged to be in fluid communication with the product inletflow component wherein the product inlet flow component is arranged tobe mounted in the opening of the neck of the reservoir wherein saidshearing component is enclosed in the housing and the product is shearedwhen it flows via the shearing component; and an applicator, saidapplicator housed in the housing of the shearing assembly.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 11 wherein the shearing component has an inletend and an outlet end and there are present a plurality of flow tracksin the shearing component so as to form a solid core of the shearingcomponent which is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end.
 13. Thedevice according to claim 12 wherein the means for closing the reservoirwhen in close communication with the neck of the reservoir causes theprotrusion in the solid core of the shearing component to seal theorifice of the reservoir.
 14. The device according to claim 13 whereinthe shearing component moves axially when the means for closing thereservoir is removed, which simultaneously results in opening of theorifice of the reservoir due to which when the reservoir is actuated itresults in the flow of the product via the shearing component.
 15. Adevice for packaging and dispensing a viscous product according to claim14 wherein the viscous product comprises at least one of medicationfluids, dermatological fluids, liquid cosmetic material,microencapsulated liquid products, lip gloss, lip balm, lip putty, lipplumping gel, cream eye shadow, under-eye cream, under-eye repair cream,foundation, concealer, blemish concealer, cheek plumping gel or cream,cream and moisturizer, nail enamel, temporary hair colors, hair stylinggel, glitter, hair mousse, hair repair cream, exfoliant and hydratingcream, correction cream, acne treatment cream, skin treatment cream,hair repair cream, anti-dandruff cream, teeth whitening gel.
 16. Ashearing assembly for a viscous product comprising: a product inlet flowcomponent, said product inlet flow component being hollow from insideand tapered to form a neck which defines an opening for the product toflow through it; a shearing component wherein the shearing component hasan inlet end and an outlet end and there are present a plurality of flowtracks in the shearing component so as to form a solid core of theshearing component which is extended into a protrusion at its outletend; a housing, said housing arranged to be in fluid communication withthe product inlet flow component wherein said shearing component isenclosed in the housing such that the product is sheared when it flowsvia the shearing component and the shearing component seals the flow ofproduct upon application or removal of a force wherein the means forapplication of force is a cap of a device or the housing itself whereinapplication or removal of a force causes the shearing component to movein an axial direction with respect to the product inlet flow componentwherein the product is sheared while it flows via the plurality of flowtracks in the shearing component and wherein the product flow is sealedby the protrusion at the outlet end of the shearing component;optionally comprising an applicator in the housing to which the productis supplied via the shearing component; and optionally comprising abiasing member wherein the biasing member is housed in the housing withthe shearing component and it biases the shearing component to move inan axial direction with respect to the product inlet flow component whena force is applied or removed from it.
 17. A device for packaging anddispensing a viscous product comprising: a reservoir wherein saidreservoir has a neck that defines an opening in the form of an orifice;a means for closing the reservoir, said means comprising a cap; ashearing assembly arranged to be mounted onto the neck of the reservoirwherein said shearing assembly comprises a product inlet flow component;a shearing component, wherein the shearing component has an inlet endand an outlet end and there are present a plurality of flow tracks inthe shearing component so as to form a solid core of the shearingcomponent which is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end; and, ahousing, said housing arranged to be in fluid communication with theproduct inlet flow component wherein the product inlet flow component isarranged to be mounted in the opening of the neck of the reservoir andwherein the shearing component is enclosed in the housing so that theproduct is sheared when it flows via the shearing component; and anapplicator, said applicator housed in the housing of the shearingassembly optionally comprising a biasing member wherein the biasingmember is housed in the housing with the shearing component and itbiases the shearing component to move in an axial direction with respectto the product inlet flow component when a force is applied or removedfrom it wherein the means for closing the reservoir when in closecommunication with the neck of the reservoir causes the protrusion inthe solid core of the shearing component to seal the orifice of theproduct inlet flow component wherein the shearing component movesaxially upwards when the means for closing the reservoir is removed,which simultaneously results in opening of the orifice due to which whenthe reservoir is actuated it results in the flow of the product via theshearing component.